On the Town: Burbank Arts for All unveils its secrets
Since its establishment nine years ago, it has become no secret that the Burbank Arts for All Foundation has had a huge impact on the lives of more than 15,000 children who have received quality arts education programming in media, visual and performing arts throughout the Burbank Unified school district.
To make their mission even less of a secret, foundation members presented their third annual Secret Art Show at Burbank’s ATB Studios this past Saturday evening.
A one-night-only pop-up art gallery event that featured more than 1,000 4-inch-by6-inch original paintings, drawings, sketches, photos, collages and doodles from local residents, artists, celebrities, studio animators, educators and students, the identity of each artist was withheld until their piece was purchased for $40.
Welcomed by Trena Pitchford, the foundation’s executive director, Carrie Brown, who serves as the board chairwoman, and the event committee composed of Karen Broderick, Alexandra Helfrich, Jamie Butterworth, Peggy Flynn, Beth Morrison, Caroline Ross Solberg, Cathy Stevens, Jill Vander Borght and Debbie Wade, more than 500 supporters enjoyed the show, live music, art demonstrations and a wine-and-cheese reception.
A highlight of the evening was a real secret to all as members of the Burbank High School dance team called “Unleashed” staged a flash-mob dance performance under the direction of Amanda Sandifer.
Among the special guests in attendance at Saturday’s event were City Councilman Will Rogers, City Atty. Amy Albano and school board members Roberta Reynolds and Armond Aghakhanian.
As for the hundreds of artists who donated their works for Saturday’s show, many were representatives of the television, film and local art and education world including Conan O’Brien, Andy Richter, Adonna Khare, Katie Dixon, Tony Hale, Bill Morrison, Bart Johnson, Robyn Lively, Peter Bennett, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Stephen Hillenburg, Joe Mantegna, Ana Bagayan, Frank Dietz, W. Earl Brown, members of the Burbank Art Assn., local students, and even the district’s superintendent, Matt Hill.
Along with this event, foundation members stage numerous fundraisers throughout the year that include their annual “Party on the Plaza” gala held in the spring and private parties put on the organization’s Community Outreach Working Group program made up of parents, teachers, artists and community stakeholders who are aligned with the foundation’s mission and dedicated to education, fundraising, outreach and volunteer engagement.
Last week’s event, which generated funding to make sure every student in Burbank public schools receives a quality arts education as part of their core curriculum, was made possible by numerous local corporate sponsors and Burbank Arts for All board members Bob Mohler, Mauro Diaz, Craig Murray, Tom Vice, Barbara Beckley, Ruth Davidson-Guerra, Freddy Jarjour, John Mazur, Kevin McCarney, Joan McCarthy, Lili Rossi, Carson Smith, Caroline Ross Solberg, Cathy Stevens, Heidi Trotta, Karen Volpei and Suzanne Weerts.
Others who assisted in the evening’s success were Tom Ahlich, Joe Broderick, Mark Helfrich, Derrick Kolus, Lucy Planter, Eric Simkin, Ian Waterhouse, Penny and Michael Zambrano and volunteers from the local chapter of National Charity League.
For more information about Burbank Arts For All, its future or how to become a volunteer or supporter, visit burbankartsforall.org.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
